The Word of God confirms that LGBTQI+ People can INDEED be CHRISTIAN
Everyone who believes [with a deep, abiding trust in the fact] that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed) is born of God [that is, reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose], and everyone who loves the Father also loves the child born of Him. 1 John 5:1 {AMP}
01/13/2018
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Here’s a bold claim: I do not think that “Gay Christian” is an oxymoron. I do, however, think there are other adjectives being put before “CHRISTIAN” that create an oxymoronic term. “Greedy Christian, Judgmental Christian, Hateful Christian, Violent Christian, Graceless Christian” are a few that come to mind; however NOT “Gay Christian.”
I really do NOT like putting any adjectives before “CHRISTIAN” because being a CHRISTIAN means to be “CHRIST-LIKE”. Therefore putting any adjectives in front of the word seems to actually cheapen what it means unless you are using words like - “TRUE CHRISTIAN, REAL CHRISTIAN, RADICAL CHRISTIAN, or even GOD FEARING CHRISTIAN. We know the demons from hell know God and Fear HIM {James 2:19} so how much more as a “CHRISTIAN” should we revere and fear the name of our CREATOR.
You believe that God is one; you do well [to believe that]. The demons also believe [that], and shudder and bristle [in awe-filled terror—they have seen His wrath]! James 2:19
To label yourself “Christian” means you are willing to go ALL the WAY with GOD. It means you are LAYING DOWN your life, picking up the LIFE of CHRIST and taking it through torture, trials, prison sentences and even DEATH. That’s is right my friend, if you want to call yourself a “CHRISTIAN” then you are REQUIRED to be CHRIST LIKE, there is NOTHING in the WORD of GOD that says you get to get all dolled up on Sunday Morning to go hear a preacher give a 20 minute sermonette, go out to eat afterwards, go home and forget God the rest of the week then turn around and do it again.
ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!
GOD did not tell you anywhere in the WORD OF GOD that if you gave to this or that EVANGELICAL TV PREACHER you would be HEALED and WEALTHY. You better get in your BIBLE right now and read it for yourself if you believe that line of BULL being preached week after week in the EVANGELICAL WORLD of MAKE BELIEVE CHRISTIANITY that has NOTHING TO DO WITH THE WORD OF GOD.
Being a CHRISTIAN means knowing God as the Father through his Son, Jesus Christ; having learned the TRUTH of GOD’S Word by the instruction of the Holy Spirit. If is experiencing FORGIVENESS, SALVATION and a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with God; following the TEACHINGS of Jesus to be carried out in your community; and participating in the MISSION and LIFE of the Kingdom of God throughout the world.
Most Evangelical Christians tend to see gays and lesbians in a narrow light (as just a “potential behavior change”). This leaves gays and lesbians “to search for God without the body of Christ to assist them, encourage them and validate their human existence as children of God.”
More often than NOT, the “Christian community” OVERLY SEXUALIZES the term GAY. As soon as one hears the term, the often-immediate response is thoughts of two people of the same sex having sexual relations. However, this should NOT be the case. IT NEEDS to STOP before the thought EVEN has time to materialize. It’s DEHUMANIZING. Just because one identifies as gay does not mean they are sexually promiscuous. They might be, sure, but I have witnessed the accounts of countless heterosexual Christians that seem to enjoy sleeping around even though they “PREACH” sexual purity. You really think CHRISTIAN PARENTS that your kids are actually staying PURE until they are “MARRIED” – I got some high quality swamp land to sell you if you do… GET REAL – KIDS in CHURCH are just as promiscuous as those who are NOT in CHURCH. I know I was once one of those YOUNG PEOPLE in CHURCH that got asked all the TIME by the “GOOD” girls to be bad with them. NO JOKE. I can hear the snickers out there, however your Rainbow Pastor David did have many opportunities to be bad with the “GOOD” girls and I passed them all by. So you wanna talk about SEX in a person’s life then it needs to be addressed from a strictly sexual stand point and NOT who they are having SEX WITH!!!
I am convinced that all Christians, regardless of our sexual orientation, must pursue a “holy-sexuality.” That means we pursue holiness in all aspects of our life. Therefore, it’s not about heterosexuality or homosexuality, but instead “holy-sexuality.” It ultimately comes down to whether or not you are willing to live your life as holy as the One who died for your atonement.
But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves in all your conduct [be set apart from the world by your godly character and moral courage]; because it is written, “You shall be holy (set apart), for I am holy.” If you address as Father, the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in [reverent] fear [of Him] and with profound respect for Him throughout the time of your stay on earth. For you know that you were not redeemed from your useless [spiritually unproductive] way of life inherited [by tradition] from your forefathers with perishable things like silver and gold, but [you were actually purchased] with precious blood, like that of a [sacrificial] lamb unblemished and spotless, the priceless blood of Christ. 1 Peter 1:15-19
Therefore, if we are single then we should strive to keep our thought life pure and pursue holiness. We decide that countless sexual partners may not be what God has intended. We work to stop lusting after and objectify other people. If we are in a relationship, we continue to pursue holiness and purity. We work for the edification of our partner. We put them before ourselves, we love self-sacrificially, we keep our thought life pure, we encourage them, we pray for them, and we love them as Christ does. God wants your married life to be pure so take the time to get to know your partner before hoping into bed with them.
Marriage is to be held in honor among all [that is, regarded as something of great value], and the marriage bed undefiled [by immorality or by any sexual sin]; for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. Hebrews 13:4
So if you are a Christian, regardless of your orientation, pursue holiness. Be holy like God is holy. Don’t try to be holy just because I told you that you should or because your pastor told you so; seek holiness because of what God has done for us through Christ. There is NOTHING we have done that will make God love us any less and there is absolutely NOTHING we can do to make Him love us MORE!!! Even though we are more jacked up and sinful than we ever imagined, in Christ, we are more accepted, loved, and cherished than we ever hoped at the same time. That is why I pursue holiness.
For the Law was given through Moses, but grace [the unearned, undeserved favor of God] and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:17
If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude ourselves and the truth is not in us. [His word does not live in our hearts.] If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose]. If we say that we have not sinned [refusing to admit acts of sin], we make Him [out to be] a liar [by contradicting Him] and His word is not in us. 1 John 1:8-10
Many LGBTQI want the exact same thing heterosexual people searching for God want -an intimate relationship with God, and “to safely enter into a journey toward an inner reconciliation of who they are sexually, spiritually and socially.”
Basically, all of us, whether insiders or outsiders, start out in identical conditions, which is to say that we all start out as sinners. Scripture leaves no doubt about it: There’s nobody living right, not even one, nobody who knows the score, nobody alert for God. They’ve all taken the wrong turn; they’ve all wandered down blind alleys. No one’s living right; I can’t find a single one. Their throats are gaping graves, their tongues slick as mudslides. Every word they speak is tinged with poison. They open their mouths and pollute the air. They race for the honor of sinner-of-the-year, litter the land with heartbreak and ruin, Don’t know the first thing about living with others. They never give God the time of day.
This makes it clear, doesn’t it, that whatever is written in these Scriptures is not what God says about others but to us to whom these Scriptures were addressed in the first place! And it’s clear enough, isn’t it, that we’re sinners, every one of us, in the same sinking boat with everybody else? Our involvement with God’s revelation doesn’t put us right with God. What it does is force us to face our complicity in everyone else’s sin. But in our time something new has been added. What Moses and the prophets witnessed to all those years has happened. The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus-setting-things-right for us. And not only for us, but for everyone who believes in Him; for there is no difference between us and them in this. Since we’ve compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity He put us in right standing with Himself. We are a pure gift. He got us out of the mess we’re in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ. Romans 3:9-24 {MSG}
As we journey through this life, LGBTQI+ or Heterosexual, striving to have a deeper meaningful relationship with God should be number one in all our lives. If we look in Ephesians 3:17-19 we learn that Christ’s love for us surpasses knowledge. This means our minds cannot even comprehend how much He loves us. God loves ALL of us {LGBTQI+ included} so much that while we still living in sin He sent Jesus to DIE for us. Romans 5:6
I thank God that it is by GRACE we are saved and NOT by WORKS, because NO ONE in this world would be saved if that were the case. Ephesians 2:8-9 Jesus is standing outside the door of EVERYONE’S heart {including LGBTQI+} just waiting for us to invite Him in so He can give us an everlasting life. {Revelation 3:20}
For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; not as a result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation]. Ephesians 2:8-9
But now that you’ve found you don’t have to listen to sin tell you what to do, and have discovered the delight of listening to God telling you, what a surprise! A whole, healed, put-together life right now, with more and more of life on the way! Work hard for sin your whole life and your pension is death. But God’s gift is real life, eternal life, delivered by Jesus, our Master. Romans 6:22-23 {AMP}
I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers; [I always pray] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may grant you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation [that gives you a deep and personal and intimate insight] into the true knowledge of Him [for we know the Father through the Son]. And [I pray] that the eyes of your heart [the very center and core of your being] may be enlightened [flooded with light by the Holy Spirit], so that you will know and cherish the hope [the divine guarantee, the confident expectation] to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints (God’s people), and [so that you will begin to know] what the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His [active, spiritual] power is in us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength which He produced in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion [whether angelic or human], and [far above] every name that is named [above every title that can be conferred], not only in this age and world but also in the one to come. Ephesians 1:16-21
It is time for the pious self righteous who walk among the TRUE “CHRISTIANS” to take a seat, shut your mouths and listen to the WORD OF GOD and NOT some word from a man who speaks out of ANGER from the pulpit instead of a place of God’s Righteousness and Love. It is time “Evangelical Christians” DROP this phrase [HATE the SIN, LOVE the SINNER] from your “Spiritual Self-Righteous” library of irreverent things to say to someone you deem unworthy or less than in God than yourself. IT IS NOT BIBLICAL – THE WORD OF GOD COMMANDS YOU “CHRISTIAN” to LOVE like whom, JESUS, because HE is the CHRIST in “CHRISTIAN” you are claiming to FOLLOW. If ANY PREACHER stands in front of you or on TV and tells you ANY DIFFERENT they are a LIAR and speaking FALSEHOODS from the PITS OF HELL through DEMONIC FORCES!!! It’s is better known in the WORD of GOD as “DOCTRINES of DEMONS”
The Word of GOD PROCLAIMS –
But the [Holy] Spirit explicitly and unmistakably declares that in later times some will turn away from the faith, paying attention instead to deceitful and seductive spirits and doctrines of demons, [misled] by the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared as with a branding iron [leaving them incapable of ethical functioning], who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from [certain kinds of] foods which God has created to be gratefully shared by those who believe and have [a clear] knowledge of the truth. For everything God has created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified [set apart, dedicated to God] by means of the word of God and prayer.
“But I say to you who hear [Me and pay attention to My words]: Love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies, [make it a practice to] do good to those who hate you, bless and show kindness to those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Whoever strikes you on the cheek, offer him the other one also [simply ignore insignificant insults or losses and do not bother to retaliate—maintain your dignity]. Whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. Give to everyone who asks of you. Whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. If you [only] love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend [money] to those from whom you expect to receive [it back], what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners expecting to receive back the same amount. But love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; for your reward will be great (rich, abundant), and you will be sons of the Most High; because He Himself is kind and gracious and good to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful (responsive, compassionate, tender) just as your [heavenly] Father is merciful.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor (fellow man) and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may [show yourselves to] be the children of your Father who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on those who are evil and on those who are good, and makes the rain fall on the righteous [those who are morally upright] and the unrighteous [the unrepentant, those who oppose Him]. For if you love [only] those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do that? And if you greet only your brothers [wishing them God’s blessing and peace], what more [than others] are you doing? Do not even the Gentiles [who do not know the Lord] do that? You, therefore, will be perfect [growing into spiritual maturity both in mind and character, actively integrating godly values into your daily life], as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Now let me ask you a very easy question for you to answer. DOES it say ANYWHERE in those SCRIPTURES to {HATE the SIN, LOVE the SINNER}?
NO!!! It says to LOVE – LOVE like JESUS CHRIST and the FATHER GOD who sent HIM to become the ADVOCATE you need to come humbly before the FATHER. I would like to add right here that it is NOT the WILL of GOD that “CHRISTIANS” become little nit pickers or accusers of others. In FACT the Word of God instructs us to NOT sit in hypocritical judgment of others. Look at these two different versions of Matthew 7:1-5 to see how important it is to LOVE not JUDGE.
Matthew 7:1-5 (AMP)
Do not judge and criticize and condemn [others unfairly with an attitude of self-righteous superiority as though assuming the office of a judge], so that you will not be judged [unfairly]. For just as you [hypocritically] judge others [when you are sinful and unrepentant], so will you be judged; and in accordance with your standard of measure [used to pass out judgment], judgment will be measured to you. Why do you look at the [insignificant] speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice and acknowledge the [egregious] log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me get the speck out of your eye,’ when there is a log in your own eye? You hypocrite (play-actor, pretender), first get the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, and criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.
Christians have been lulled to sleep by pastors who do give them the SPIRITUAL FOOD they need to become ENERGIZED MEN and WOMEN of GOD, who GO FORTH into the world and make DISCIPLES of ALL PEOPLE, there that word ALL is again. ALL PEOPLE not who you through your self-righteous eyes feel should be DISCIPLES, but ALL PEOPLE!!! JESUS said it people not Rainbow Pastor David, JESUS CHRIST said ALL PEOPLE!!!
Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority (all power of absolute rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
The time has come for the “Evangelical Church of God” to take off those “Spiritual Blinders” that make you see what you want to see, to take out your Bibles, READ your Bibles and UNDERSTAND your Bibles through the help of the HOLY SPIRIT GOD sent to this earth to TEACH us ALL and give us UNDERSTANDING of the MYSTERIES in the WORD of GOD.
But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you. John 14:26
But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth [full and complete truth]. For He will not speak on His own initiative, but He will speak whatever He hears [from the Father—the message regarding the Son], and He will disclose to you what is to come [in the future]. John 16:13
None of the rulers of this age recognized and understood this wisdom; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; but just as it is written [in Scripture],
“Things which the eye has not seen and the ear has not heard,
And which have not entered the heart of man,
All that God has prepared for those who love Him [who hold Him in affectionate reverence, who obey Him, and who gratefully recognize the benefits that He has bestowed].”
God has unveiled them and revealed them to us through the [Holy] Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things [diligently], even [sounding and measuring] the [profound] depths of God [the divine counsels and things far beyond human understanding]. 1 Corinthians 2:8-10
Using “HATE the SIN” as a license for cruelty defeats the purpose of proclaiming the TRUTH. The gospel separates the foolish from the wise.
For Jews demand signs (attesting miracles), and Greeks pursue [worldly] wisdom and philosophy, but we preach Christ crucified, [a message which is] to Jews a stumbling block [that provokes their opposition], and to Gentiles foolishness [just utter nonsense], but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks (Gentiles), Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.
It is not our place to do what the Bible already does. It is our job to share the Word of God in Love. It is the Word of God that draws sinners to Christ Jesus NOT anything you do or say. If you genuinely LOVE GOD with ALL your HEART, SOUL, MIND and STRENGTH that LOVE will pour out of you as an example for others.
And Jesus replied to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others].’ The whole Law and the [writings of the] Prophets depend on these two commandments.”
Even though God HATES SIN because it separates HIM from HIS CHILDREN, HE gives us time to come to our senses and ask for forgiveness and accepting Jesus as our MEDIATOR.
The Lord does not delay [as though He were unable to act] and is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is [extraordinarily] patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
Even though you think it is okay for you to start picking at all the specks in your brothers and sisters eyes and the eyes of those you personally deem unworthy, you need to realize that it NOT your job as a “CHRISTIAN”. Like I stated earlier it is time for “CHRISTIANS” to take God’s Word seriously enough that you train yourself to shut up and listen to others before you pounce on them like a lion does its prey. In James 1 we are commanded to be careful and thoughtful listeners, speak carefully chosen words, have patients and be forgiving. If you are carrying around any Hatred in your heart towards any one of God’s Creation you are not pleasing your Creator.
Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving]; for the [resentful, deep-seated] anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God [that standard of behavior which He requires from us]. James 1:19-20
Remember it is your job to LOVE, LOVE and continue to LOVE whether you want to or not. I know it can be so hard to love others sometimes. Even I have to ask God to give me His love for other people when they are bashing my relationship with Him because of who I love. It’s okay I tell myself, because I have heard from God and I know I am in right standing with Him, so no one on this planet can take that away from me. I actually get to REJOICE in the knowledge that GOD loves me JUST AS HE CREATED ME so I can therefore love myself enough so I can love others just as my Savior Christ Jesus does.
Blessed [happy, spiritually prosperous, favored by God] is the man who is steadfast under trial and perseveres when tempted; for when he has passed the test and been approved, he will receive the [victor’s] crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God” [for temptation does not originate from God, but from our own flaws]; for God cannot be tempted by [what is] evil, and He Himself tempts no one. But each one is tempted when he is dragged away, enticed and baited [to commit sin] by his own [worldly] desire (lust, passion). Then when the illicit desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin has run its course, it gives birth to death. Do not be misled, my beloved brothers and sisters. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [for He is perfect and never changes]. It was of His own will that He gave us birth [as His children] by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits of His creatures [a prime example of what He created to be set apart to Himself—sanctified, made holy for His divine purposes]. Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving]; for the [resentful, deep-seated] anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God [that standard of behavior which He requires from us]. So get rid of all uncleanness and all that remains of wickedness, and with a humble spirit receive the word [of God] which is implanted [actually rooted in your heart], which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth]. For if anyone only listens to the word without obeying it, he is like a man who looks very carefully at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he immediately forgets what he looked like. But he who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and faithfully abides by it, not having become a [careless] listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he will be blessed and favored by God in what he does [in his life of obedience]. If anyone thinks himself to be religious [scrupulously observant of the rituals of his faith], and does not control his tongue but deludes his own heart, this person’s religion is worthless (futile, barren). Pure and unblemished religion [as it is expressed in outward acts] in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit and look after the fatherless and the widows in their distress, and to keep oneself uncontaminated by the [secular] world. James 1:12-27
The time has come to “DRAW A LINE IN THE SAND” like Jesus did, proclaiming with a LOUD VOICE, WHO HERE HAS NO SIN? Let him with NO SIN cast the FIRST STONE!!
But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning He came back into the temple [court], and all the people were coming to Him. He sat down and began teaching them. Now the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery. They made her stand in the center of the court, and they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the very act of adultery. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women [to death]. So what do You say [to do with her—what is Your sentence]?” They said this to test Him, hoping that they would have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and began writing on the ground with His finger. However, when they persisted in questioning Him, He straightened up and said, “He who is without [any] sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Then He stooped down again and started writing on the ground. They listened [to His reply], and they began to go out one by one, starting with the oldest ones, until He was left alone, with the woman [standing there before Him] in the center of the court. Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” She answered, “No one, Lord!” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you either. Go. From now on sin no more.”] John 8:1-11 (AMP)
We have “EVANGELICAL PREACHERS” screaming from the pulpit that the LGBTQ Community is a bunch of militant sexual deviates that are a perverse people who hate God and should be taken out and stoned to death. I say to those self-righteous preachers who are ROBBING the people of GOD of their FINANCES with their OUTRIGHT LIES and DECEPTION – HE WITHOUT SIN CAST THE FIRST STONE!!!
Sure, there are those in the LGBTQI+ Community that ACT just their counterparts in the HETEROSEXUAL COMMUNITY. They go out to the clubs, drink and dance and even go home with one night stands. Then you have those who want to go to church, enjoy fellowship with other believers, find a spouse for life, settle down and build a home and life together.
You see JESUS made a CHOICE that day when the Pharisee’s and scribes tried to trip Him up, to PROVE that HE was ONE with GOD and He would stand in LOVE and GRACE towards the woman they were so eager to stone to death. JESUS is the ULTIMATE LAW BREAKER. Over and over again throughout His ministry He had to prove that GOD was above the LAWS of MAN and GOD would do what HE WILLS when HE sees fit.
Jesus chose to wrap His LOVE and Forgiveness around the woman showing the people that the GRACE HE GIVES outweighs the LAWS OF MOSES. JESUS WAS PROVING that DAY that HE CAME to make a NEW COVENANT with the people of GOD and let the OLD COVENANT fade away. More on the RADICAL NEW COVENANT will be discussed in a latter session called “The Radical New Covenant – Jesus the Law Breaker is also the Law Creator.”
As Jesus stood there in support of the woman each one of the accusers dropped their stones and walked away. What beautiful words Jesus said to the woman who was now standing there looking at Jesus with no more accusers in front of them.
Looking into her tear reddened eyes, Jesus would show that woman a deeper love than she had ever known.
‘Woman, where did they all go? Didn’t anyone condemn you?’
‘No one did, Lord.’
‘Me neither.’
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“But what about the [go and sin no more]?”
Too many times people will quote Jesus’ last words to the woman, ‘Go and sin no more.’ This phrase is used as an opportunity to pounce upon the person with whom we disagree.
Now is the time to learn a couple of lessons from this scenario; Jesus said this only after two very significant things took place.
1. He risked not only His reputation but His life as well. As a Rabbi, Jesus stopping the stoning of this woman caught in the act of adultery was Him essentially and literally allowing compassion, mercy and love to have the authoritative word – even over the authority of scripture. He was indeed teaching a New Way – and it could have (and ultimately did) cost Him His life. He stood alongside her, risking His reputation by being seen as WITH her; In this way He ‘earned the right’ to speak to the woman. She would listen to the guy who just saved her life by risking His own, regardless of what He believed.
2. Before ‘sharing the truth in love, ‘Jesus made certain the woman knew that He did NOT condemn her. ‘Where are they? Didn’t anybody stay to condemn you?!?’ And here’s the punch line: ‘Neither do I - From now on sin no more.’
Do you think this woman could have stopped sinning?
Was this request from the Master Teacher even possible?
Of course the answer to both of these questions is ABSOLUTELY NOT.
Jesus did not call out her specific sin, it is likely that she messed up and missed the mark, even after encountering Jesus, the Messiah, face to face. Because of that – His words of “Go and Sin No More’ seem to NOT be the point of this passage; instead the point is – Jesus was willing to STAND AGAINST the OPPRESSORS alongside the OPPRESSED, even when she’d been caught red-handed ‘in the act’ of sin.
As we come to a close with is session let me ask you a few questions that help you take a closer look at your walk with Jesus and how you treat others. Remember when you answer these questions to really take the time to search the WORD of GOD so you know exactly how God expects you to answer.
1. Are you ready to stand with your LGBTQI+ brothers and sisters who have accepted JESUS as their Lord and Savior as they continue their journey, like you to become the holiness of God?
2. Will you be like the Christ you call yourself by when you call yourself “CHRISTIAN”?
3. Are you ready to love God with ALL of your Heart, Soul, Mind and Strength so His POWER of LOVE and WISDOM can flow through you?
4. Will you make it a new goal to NEVER use the words {Hate the Sin, Love the Sinner}; choosing to just LOVE as Jesus commands you to do?
5. Are you ready to LET GO of all your preconceived ideas of what it means to be “CHRISTIAN” and let the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD lead you into ALL TRUTH so you know exactly what it means to be “CHRIST-LIKE”?
6. Are you ready to realize that it is by GRACE not WORKS that we are ALL {including the LGBTQI+} SAVED through JESUS CHRIST?
7. Are you ready to “DRAW A LINE IN THE SAND” and let the WORLD know that you have CHOSEN to be like CHRIST JESUS and not like EVERYONE ELSE who call themselves “CHRISTIANS” but have NEVER even asked for FORGIVENESS of their SINS?
I pray God will continue to open your eyes and ears to the TRUTH of GOD’S Word so you will LOVE other’s into the KINGDOM of GOD instead of HATING them into HELL.
Let the LOVE and GRACE of JESUS CHRIST flow FREELY from your life. Know that GOD created you in the likeness of Himself, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. We are all Spirit living in an earthly body so we need to learn to live Spiritually Minded not earthly minded so we can be pleasing to God.
Blessings and Peace,
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A little extra for you to learn about the Commandments Jesus asks you to keep from the ORIGINAL TEN COMMANDMENTS found in EXODUS 20:1-17 to ALL the NEW TESTAMENT REFERENCES for OBEYING those ORIGINAL Commandments.
1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Matthew 4:10 - Then Jesus said to him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written and forever remains written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’”
2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.
1 John 5:21 - Little children (believers, dear ones), guard yourselves from idols—[false teachings, moral compromises, and anything that would take God’s place in your heart].
3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
1 Timothy 6:1 - All who are under the yoke as bond-servants (slaves) are to regard their own masters as worthy of honor and respect so that the name of God and the teaching [about Him] will not be spoken against.
4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy… The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.
Hebrews 4:4-11 - For somewhere [in Scripture] He has said this about the seventh day: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”; and again in this, “They shall not enter My rest.” Therefore, since the promise remains for some to enter His rest, and those who formerly had the good news preached to them failed to [grasp it and did not] enter because of [their unbelief evidenced by] disobedience, He again sets a definite day, [a new] “Today,” [providing another opportunity to enter that rest by] saying through David after so long a time, just as has been said before [in the words already quoted],
“Today if you hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts.”
[This mention of a rest was not a reference to their entering into Canaan.] For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not speak about another day [of opportunity] after that. So there remains a [full and complete] Sabbath rest for the people of God. For the one who has once entered His rest has also rested from [the weariness and pain of] his [human] labors, just as God rested from [those labors uniquely] His own. Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest [of God, to know and experience it for ourselves], so that no one will fall by following the same example of disobedience [as those who died in the wilderness].
5. Honor thy father and thy mother.
Matthew 19:18-19 - He said to Jesus, “Which commandments?” And Jesus answered, “You shall not commit murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not give false testimony; Honor your father and mother; and love your neighbor as yourself” [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others].
6. Thou shalt not kill.
Romans 13:9 - The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not covet,” and any other commandment are summed up in this statement: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
7. Thou shalt no commit adultery.
Matthew 19:18-19 - He said to Jesus, “Which commandments?” And Jesus answered, “You shall not commit murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not give false testimony; Honor your father and mother; and love your neighbor as yourself” [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others].
8. Thou shalt not steal.
Romans 13:9 - The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not covet,” and any other commandment are summed up in this statement: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
9. Thou shalt not bear false witness.
Romans 13:9 - The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not covet,” and any other commandment are summed up in this statement: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
10. Thou shalt not covet.
Romans 7:7 - What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, if it had not been for the Law, I would not have recognized sin. For I would not have known [for example] about coveting [what belongs to another, and would have had no sense of guilt] if the Law had not [repeatedly] said, “You shall not covet.”
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